Don’t punish those who have safe fires

Beach fires have been part of my life experiences since I was a kid. I have three grown children plus grandkids and we all enjoy that warm, cozy, marshmallow-roasting, storytelling evening by the shoreline.

If the city-installed, cement fire pits aren’t available (and they usually aren’t, since the city has removed more than 180 pits, due to “maintenance expenses,” over the years), I’ll use a portable, contained, wood-burning fire cylinder that is nearly smokeless, and the minimal ash left over is responsibly dumped. These work great, are easily transported and are available online, just do a search. It’s a nice warm fire and no mess is left behind on the beach when it’s time to go.

That being said, my family and friends were outraged to think that the city might vote to allow city fire pits and propane tank fires only.

Propane tanks? That is not a beach fire! That would be like sitting around your kitchen stove. No dancing, crackling flame that gives off heat with a festive atmosphere. This proposal clearly wasn’t thought out with better beach fire alternatives available.

I understand the desire to stop fire pits being dug into the sand and the coal debris left behind by people who also usually leave behind their other trash as well. I support enforcing that rule along city beaches.

However, banning us responsible citizens who love and take care of our beaches by limiting us to only having a gas fire as an alternative to the grabbed-up city pits is ill-conceived, limits many families from a time-loved tradition and is absolutely unfair to those of us who have beach fires in a safe, clean, responsible way.

There has to be a compromise in this potential ruling that will not punish people who do things the right way and continue to allow folks to have a treasured, after-dark, beach experience.